Dancing at the River's Edge: A Patient and Her Doctor Negotiate Life with Chronic Illness

An invaluable resource for medical professionals, victims of chronic illnesses, and their loved ones, this dual memoir by a doctor and his longtime patient traces the growth of their unique friendship over a span of decades. By exploring the bond between caregiver and sufferer, this sensitive account evokes not only the constant day to day frustrations and

Overview

An invaluable resource for medical professionals, victims of chronic illnesses, and their loved ones, this dual memoir by a doctor and his longtime patient traces the growth of their unique friendship over a span of decades. By exploring the bond between caregiver and sufferer, this sensitive account evokes not only the constant day to day frustrations and emotional toll suffered by the chronically ill, but also an understanding of the mental struggles and conflicts that a conscientious doctor must face in deciding how best to treat a patient without compromising personal freedoms. In alternating chapters, the narrative explores the frustration, joy, despair, grief, and pain on both sides of the doctor-patient relationship.

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Editorial Reviews

New England Journal of Medicine

Brill's writings and Lockshin's writings ... are poetic, revealing, insightful, and at times shocking in their honest and frank discussion of aspects of chronic disease that are rarely brought out into the open.

Story Circle Book Reviews

A beautiful book, both informative and moving, written from the heart by people who, through their interactions over the years, and through the conversation recorded in this book, know each other and themselves intimately. It is introspective, often poetic ... always the creation of 'a meeting of minds and hearts' ... a peculiar kind of magic.

butyoudon'tlooksick.com

While it may be a chronic illness, Alida still has hope. She still has a life. And she's learning how to make the most of it. Maybe she has some hints for you

From the Publisher

"Brill's writings and Lockshin's writings . . . are poetic, revealing, insightful, and at times shocking in their honest and frank discussion of aspects of chronic disease that are rarely brought out into the open." New England Journal of Medicine

"Dancing at the River's Edge . . . is about the trials and tribulations of chronic disease . . . you ought to get a copy and read it. You won't be able to put it down once you pick it up." Paul A. Volcker, former Federal Reserve chairman

"A must-read for anyone who has traveled to the 'other planet' that is chronic illness, or loves someone who is making this arduous journey . . . a life-affirming and deeply moving book." Nancy Matsumoto, staff contributor, People; former contributor, Health, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Newsweek, and Time; coauthor, The Parents' Guide to Eating Disorders

"A book unlike any other; this slim volume probes the intricacies of a magical relationship, that of a patient with her doctor. A heart-wrenching dialogue that carries profound and life-altering insights for us all." Dr. David Sachar, head of gastroenterology, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and world's leading expert on Crohn's Disease

"Delves into the intricacies and intimacy of chronic illness . . . it illuminates the spirit. Important for those suffering from chronic illness and [their] families." Lauren Shuler Donner, film producer, You've Got Mail and the X-Men series, a lupus patient

"Whether you are doctor or patient, you see a bit of yourself in [this book]. . . . It demonstrates how profound the bond between doctor and patient can behow much power it imparts." Susan Golick, founder, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation

"A deeply personal exploration on both sides of the medical scenethe patient who suffers and strives to retain her 'self,' and the physician who struggles to maintain a balance between knowing the truth while attempting to understand its implications." Virginia Ladd, president and executive director, American Autoimmune Diseases Related Association

"An extraordinary meditation on illnessa poetic, powerful and groundbreaking work that illuminates the resilience and strength of the human spirit." David Isay, executive director, Storycorps, and editor, Listening Is an Act of Love

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Alida Brill & Michael D. Lockshin

What People are saying about this

Susan Golick

Whether you are doctor or patient, you see a bit of yourself in [this book]. It demonstrates how profound the bond between doctor and patient can be-how much power it imparts. (Susan Golick, founder, S.L.E. Lupus Foundation)

Nancy Matsumoto

A must-read for anyone who has traveled to the "other planet" that is chronic illness or loves someone who is making this arduous journey . . . a life-affirming and deeply moving book. (Nancy Matsumoto, staff contributor, People, and coauthor, The Parents' Guide to Eating Disorders)

David Sachar

A book unlike any other; this slim volume probes the intricacies of a magical relationship, that of a patient with her doctor. A heart-wrenching dialogue that carries profound and life-altering insights for us all. (Dr. David Sachar, head of gastroenterology, Mt. Sinai Hospital, and the world's leading expert on Crohn's Disease)

Paul Volcker

Dancing at the River's Edge is about the trials and tribulations of chronic disease . . . you ought to get a copy and read it. You won't be able to put it down once you pick it up. (Paul Volcker, former federal reserve chairman, at the New York Arthritis Foundation's annual dinner)

Virginia Ladd

A deeply personal exploration on both sides of the medical scene-the patient who suffers and strives to retain her "self," and the physician who struggles to maintain a balance between knowing the truth while attempting to understand its implications. (Virginia Ladd, president and executive director, American Autoimmune Diseases Related Association)

Lauren Shuler Donner

Delves into the intricacies and intimacy of chronic illness . . . it illuminates the spirit. Important for those suffering from chronic illness and [their] families. (Lauren Shuler Donner, lupus patient and film producer, You've Got Mail and the X-Men series)

David Isay

An extraordinary meditation on illness�a poetic, powerful and groundbreaking work that illuminates the resilience and strength of the human spirit. (David Isay, executive director, Storycorps, and editor, Listening Is An Act of Love)